You may know Belmont Cameli from your Instagram feed or his portrayal of a fictional hockey star. Garnering buzz across the internet for his breakout role as Garrett Graham in the hit Amazon Prime series Off Campus, Cameli had a diverse path before becoming the internet’s latest obsession. From leaving the University of Illinois to follow his acting dreams to his unusual nighttime routine, here are eight things you should know about the rising actor.

1. Belmont Cameli secured his first major acting credit in the Saved By The Bell reboot

Belmont Cameli was part of the new generation of Bayside High students in the 2020 Peacock sequel to the fan-favourite series Saved By The Bell. He played star football player Jamie Spano, the son of original alumna Jessie Spano (Elizabeth Berkley). The reboot, which integrated legacy cast members with new faces, aired for two seasons before its cancellation in 2022.

2. Before leaving to pursue a career in acting, Belmont Cameli studied economics at the University of Illinois-Champaign

Cameli spent a year studying economics, finance and marketing at the University of Illinois-Champaign before deciding to leave school to pursue acting full-time. This pivotal decision followed the heartbreaking loss of his father early in his studies, an event that profoundly altered his outlook on life. Despite being told he was “nuts” by his family, he trusted his gut and turned toward the arts. He initially supported himself through modelling in Chicago before making the move to Los Angeles in 2019, where he fully devoted himself to a career in acting.

3. Belmont Cameli was part of a 14-person living kidney donation chain in 2018

In 2018, at the age of 20, Belmont took part in a kidney donation to support a childhood friend who had been waiting six years for a transplant due to kidney failure. Although his kidney was not a direct match for his friend, he remained committed and entered a paired kidney exchange program. This decision initiated a chain of transplants involving 14 participants, which ultimately provided new organs for seven patients and saved seven lives, including a stranger who received Belmont’s kidney.

4. Before his casting in Off Campus, Belmont Cameli had never played hockey

Belmont Cameli had no prior experience with ice skating or hockey before being cast as Garrett Graham, the hockey captain in Off Campus. He underwent intensive training at a specialised bootcamp and worked with professional NHL players, picking up the mannerisms of real athletes. His preparation even included collaborating with Vinnie Iorio of the New York Rangers, who served as his stunt double on the ice.